Yankees’ Luis Severino Will Likely Begin Season on IL With Lat Strain

He’s made just 26 starts since his All-Star seasons in 2017 and ’18.

The Yankees‘ bid to win a second straight division title for the first time since 2011–12 is off to a rocky start before the season has even begun.

New York pitcher Luis Severino will likely open 2023 on the injured list after straining his right lat, manager Aaron Boone told reporters Saturday morning ahead of the Yankees’ Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Severino, a two-time All-Star, has posted a 9.00 ERA in 15 innings of spring training action. Hampered by injuries—including a lat strain in 2022—the 29-year-old Dominican Republic native has made just 26 starts since finishing in the top 10 of the AL Cy Young voting in 2017 and ’18.

Clarke Schmidt will slot into Severino's rotation spot for what was supposed to have been his season debut on April 1 against the Giants.

New York will lift the curtain on a new season without the services of two other key pitchers—Frankie Montas (shoulder) and Carlos Rodon (forearm)—as well.